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Sunday, 29 January 2012

Can't believe it's that time already for another challenge at FSC which is 'Make it a guy thing', struggled with this one big time LOL! Head over to FSC for some stunning inspiration from those Stampetes. Remember it's a stamping challenge so we do need to see stamping of some kind on your project. Our generous sponsor is Marina from Cottage Crafts.

In wisdom I decided to alter a tin for my OH to store all his motorbike documents in. He has a classic british bike from the 50s, so he has loads of paperwork, log books etc, all suitably shabby. I used a triumph stamp from darkroom door as I couldn't get one for his make of bike. I decided to make it grungy to fit in with all his oily bike stuff LOL. I seriously over did the grunge, but my excuse is that it's my first time!

Not very happy with project as it feels too grungy, but I suppose we do need to craft outside our comfort zone sometimes LOL!

Anyway I covered the tin with Prima printworks paper and used various background stamps and distress inks and Tim Holtz salvage stickers that I've had knocking around for ages to complete.

Hope you all have a great Sunday. Do have a look at all the fabulous and a lot less grungy DT pieces at FSC as they are superb.

Wednesday, 25 January 2012

Not the butterflies my mojo. Actually I think I left it at the Vets as it's no where to be seen and I've definitely looked for it! As I have actually had time to do a spot of crafting this week (I did try but it has ended in the recycle) it is very annoying that it has gone AWOL, hope it returns soon! In the meantime a couple of cards the butterfly one was made a couple of weeks ago and the 21st card was made when I made the purple tag I just forgot to blog it doh! Think my Mojo and my Memory have eloped together!

The stamp is one of my favourites, Magenta Papillon Post and is coloured with Inktense pencils and distress inks and then the butterflies were stamped again and coated in utee. The papers are Bo Bunny gabrielle.

I really wasn't sure about making a 21st card so I opted for the Serena Stampsmith image as she is rather classy. Stamped on glossy card with archival ink. Then I added some black accessories to vamp her up a bit.

Off to do a spot of blog surfing now for much needed inspiration. Happy Crafting XX

Sunday, 22 January 2012

I don't know why I never seem to use purple much in my crafting even though it is a favourite colour of mine. I managed to get this tag done at the beginning of the week before chaos broke out. Firstly our little Cavalier King Charles Dylan became poorly and wouldn't eat which is very unusual as he is a little greedy guts. He is eleven now which is old for a cavalier so we were very worried, but after three visits to the vet this week he finally seems to be improving.

Then OH decided to come off his push bike and we had to head over to A & E, for x-rays etc but fortunately he is ok and on the mend now, but requiring lots of sympathy which I'm not very good at LOL. So no time for crafting this week. So hopefully back to normal next week. Anyway enough of my domestic sagas back to crafting.

This is for two challenges The Stampsmith ~ Tag Art & Pan Pastel UK Challenge ~ Use two of something I started with a blank tag and stamped a crafty individuals swirl in embossing ink then blend some pan pastels (the purple and green colours from the pastel set) across the tag and it highlighted the swirl. I got this idea from Sue's blog Stamping Sue Styleon her gorgeous Bugs and Butteflies card. Then used the lovely Serena (the stampsmith) stamp on glossy card and highlighed with zig photomarkers and distress inks. I mounted onto some black card and edged with gilders patina paste. I dyed an old muslin cloth and some seam binding with distress inks and then dry embossed and die cut a small heart, highlighting with more patina. The flower is made using Tim Holtz pine cone die. Finished by adding some lace and a couple of pearls.

Sunday, 15 January 2012

It's that time already for another challenge down at the Fashionable Stamping Challenges. Butterflies and Bugs is the current theme. Do head over to the FSC blog to check out the stunning projects by those gorgeous Stampettes. Please remember this is a stamping challenge and strictly no digis allowed. The lovely Marina from Cottage Crafts has this lovely set of stamps for the winning entry, so we look forward to your fabulous creations.

Butterflies are one of my favourite choices when stamping. I decided to alter one of those cheap ikea mirrors as I bought a few before Christmas with the intention of making some presents and of course it never happened. At least I managed to get a photo without myself reflected in it.

The stamps used are, Lost Coast Designs Butterflies and carrying on the Da Vinci theme, Rubber stampedes Dreaming of you and Unity stamps Carte Postale.

Tuesday, 10 January 2012

Hoping to see the Leonardo Da Vinci Exhibtion at the National gallery, if I can hope with the hustle and bustle of London. I'm not a great one for crowds as it makes me very grumpy LOL! In the meantime I havesatisfied my craving for all things Da Vinci, by making this little shrine. I used the little wooden arch which I gessoed and painted in matt emulsion. Then using black archival ink I stamped the Lost Coast designs Mona Lisa and Door and Window set. Theother lovely lady is called Leda and is from judikins. I used inktense pencils to paint the images and background. Finishing with a touch of Inka gold in copper.

A quick reminder about the current Happy Daze Challenge which is Try Something New for the New Year. It could be a new technique you have recently discovered or some new stash you can't wait to to use. There is still plenty of time to enter. One lucky winner will be drawn at random to win a £15 voucher and free P&P to spend in the Happy Daze shop.Maximum of 3 entries per person & you must use at least one product which can be purchased in the Happy Daze shop.

Sunday, 8 January 2012

A very quick post from me today. Been a bit under the weather with a cold, but feeling much brighter today. This is a card for birthday swap on a craft forum.

It features a digi download, as I'm not really a cute fan, these work out quite economical. Coloured with promarkers and distress inks.

In my wisdom this morning I decided to clear up my craft area, as it looked like a bin had been emptied on my desk. I am notoriously messy, but fed up with never being able to find anything, and always losing my glasses under the rubble, I decided to tackle it. A couple of hours and a couple of bin bags later it really doesn't look much different, my problem really, is far too much craft stash and far too little space which I'm sure many of you can relate to. I need to look into some space saving storage I think.

Sunday, 1 January 2012

A Happy New Year to you all and he's hoping not too many of you are nursing sore heads today. My first blog and the first Fashionable Stamping Challenge of the New Year is Anything goes Using your New Stash. This could be anything from a new piece of ribbon, paper, stamps or a new piece of equipment.
Please do head over to the Fashionable stamping challenge blog for loads of inspiring projects from those oh so stylish Fashionettes and a chance to win a gorgeous set of stamps from the lovely Marina at Cottage Crafts

My project is something old as well as something new. My new is the lovely wooden stampington stamp I bought in LB crafts closing down sale and the old is a toiletry bag I found at the back of my wardrobe. As much as it is easier to store unmounted stamps I do love the feel of wooden stamps there is something immensely satisfying about the chunky carved wood and now I much prefer them, than when I first started rubber stamping about a year ago and just wanted the unmounted option, call me contrary LOL.

I stamped onto a piece of calico which I had gessoed then I used inktense pencils to add some colour and finally a quick brush over with some matt medium. That was the easy bit, I sewed cream lace all along the top and down the sides of the bag as it was a little rough round the edges. Then I sewed on the stamped calico and also some pearl trim. I made the flower using the same cream lace and I now know why I don't often hand sew!!

That's my project, so we would be delighted if you would join us on the catwalk and show us your new stash.

Hope you all have a wonderful and crafty 2012 and I would just like to add it has been such a pleasure visiting all your lovely and amazing blogs during this last year, I have been so encouraged by all your comments since starting this blog, so a very big thank you for your continuing support. XX

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About Me

I've always loved 'Arty things' for as long as I can remember. I've dabbled in most crafty things. Candlemaking, jewellery, silversmithing, but I usually end up going back to my two favourite past times, painting and altered art, but now I have also discovered the world of sewing. Just need a few extra hours everyday to fit it all in!